Pope Francis spoke to Congress on Sept. 24 and the head of the Catholic Church urged Americans not to be ‘fearful of foreigners.’ Instead, the pontiff pleaded that immigrants should be treated with ‘compassion,’ and his remarks received a standing ovation from America’s leaders!

Pope Francis, 78, is making history! While visiting Washington D.C., the Pope became the first ever Roman Catholic leader to address the United States Congress. During his historic speech, Pope Francis encouraged Americans to not “turn their backs on their neighbors.” Instead, he said immigrants should be welcomed with open arms!

“In recent centuries, millions came to this land to pursue land of future and freedom,” Pope Francis said during his Sept. 24 speech to congress. The Pope seemed to acknowledge all the recent political discussion over illegal immigration, notably brought up by Republican candidate Donald Trump. Pope Francis pleaded that the people of North America should “not [be] fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners.” After he said that, the Congress gave the Pope one of many standing ovations!

“I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants,” said Pope Francis. He added that the American people should not be afraid of those who want to come to their country.

“We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation,” he said. During the momentous speech, Pope Francis said that people should “do unto others as they do to you, as you will have them do unto you,” and that Americans should show the same “compassion with which we want to be treated.”

The Pope also urged for the end of the death penalty. He told Congress he wants to see a “global abolition” of the lethal punishment, saying that he’s “convinced…that society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.” The Pope’s speech was very emotional as even Speaker of the House John Boehner was seen wiping away tears.